Troy Knecht
President -
District 5

Troy Knecht operates a diversified farming enterprise near Houghton. With a lifetime devoted to farming, his current efforts include growing corn, soybeans and alfalfa in tandem with a stock cow operation. He also manages a Wensman Seed dealership.

While farming has always been part of his life, he officially began farming on his own in 1998 after earning a bachelor’s degree in general agriculture from South Dakota State University.

“I chose the farming profession because I love the work, the land, the quality of life we have here and the people I get to associate with daily,” Knecht said. He says important challenges for today’s farmer are telling the story of the great work being done in agriculture, continuing to focus on sustainable farming practices, maintaining a strong safety net, and working on profitable relationships with trade partners.

Knecht represents District 5 on the SDCGA board of directors. In addition to joining the SDCGA board in January 2010, Knecht also serves on the American Coalition for Ethanol Board of Directors, is a member of the Brown County Weed and Pest Board and serves on the Britton-Hecla School Board.

Knecht and his wife, Katrina, have two daughters, Mataya and Livia, and one son, Reeve. In his spare time he enjoys weekends at the lake cabin with family, camping and hunting.